“You—skateboarders—are the leading edge of a revolution of the human being’s relation to his or her environment.” —Edmund Bacon

Steve Olpin and Tim Irvin created this incredible documentary on skateboarding in the public sphere. It has become for many skatepark advocates the single most-essential film to see. The film essentially asks, “what IS public space?” You will walk away inspired, energetic, angry (perhaps), and ready to get things done.

Skaters for Public Skateparks is featured heavily in the film. Former SPS executive director Kent Dahlgren is interviewed with cameos by Brock McNally, Peter Whitley, Dave Waite, Jake Weger, Tim Demmon, Dan Barnett, and a score of others. The most incredible spotlight is on the unexpected Edmund Bacon, architect of Love Plaza and perhaps skateboarding’s most beloved incidental skatepark.

Make some popcorn, expand it to full-screen mode, sit back and enjoy the show.

Showing Freedom of Space for your community is an excellent idea. I believe the documentary does a better job of showing what skateboarding means in the city more than any other movie like it.

I would discourage you from charging money to see it. The value of the movie is in its content, not it’s power to attract lots of people. If you want to have a video fundraiser, I’d choose a movie that people are really excited about…probably a new release. Unfortunately, Freedom of Space is a little too long to run as a double-feature but you could consider that as well.

Freedom of Space was produced by Fuel TV so you’ll need to negotiate with them what your options are for a local showing. They may nix the idea of charging money…but they should be enthusiastic about you showing it to a local audience, particularly if they get their deserved credit.

Freedom of Space was written and directed by Steve Olpin. You’ll want to contact him as well for permission to show it. I don’t know who actually “owns” the rights to the movie. It would be good to check in with both of them.

Or you could just show the web version in your garage and invite a bunch of people over. (“Bring your own chair.”)